A Theoretical Analysis of the Townsend–Huxley Swarm Technique for Electrons

Abstract

The Townsend–Huxley swarm technique for electrons is analysed in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on boundary conditions, and those conditions appropriate to the Huxley–Crompton empirical relationship are derived and explained. Secondary emission at the electrodes due to both positive ion and photon bombardment is also taken into account. The principal result is an integral expression for the current ratio received at the circumferentially split anode. From this may be deduced the energy factor k_l And the secondary emission coefficients. It is shown that it is possible to distinguish between positive ion and photon secondary emission and to determine the associated coefficients simultaneously in the stationary state. Highly accurate conditions for electrical breakdown are also obtained, secondary emission at the anode being taken into account.